Critical Mineral Resources has reported additional drilling results from its Agadir Melloul copper–silver project in Morocco, as the company works toward a maiden resource estimate planned for Q3 2026. The latest campaign targeted mineralized intervals intended to support continuity and near-surface development potential. The company said the findings strengthen the project’s position within its portfolio of strategic copper assets.
Drill intersections reported from BH157 and other holes
The newest drilling campaign returned several mineralized intervals, including an intersection in drill hole BH157. The company reported 9.7 metres grading 0.74% copper and 4.46 g/t silver, starting from a depth of 25.2 metres. Within that interval, a higher-grade section was reported as 3.6 metres at 0.98% copper and 6.22 g/t silver.
Additional intercepts were reported as 3.0 metres grading 1.12% copper and 5.75 g/t silver, and 1.9 metres grading 1.20% copper and 4.33 g/t silver. The company also reported a separate 1.0-metre gold interval grading 4.52 g/t. Critical Mineral Resources said the results expand understanding of the deposit while supporting the view of a broad, laterally continuous mineralized system.
Shallow mineralization highlighted for open-pit considerations
The company said the drilling confirms mineralization remains shallow, extensive, and gently dipping at Agadir Melloul. It noted that near-surface mineralization can affect stripping ratios, mining costs, and the pathway to open-pit development. Critical Mineral Resources also stated that these geological characteristics can support a faster transition from exploration to development during early project evaluation.
The company linked its view of development potential to mining geometry and extraction simplicity compared with deeper deposits. It said projects with favorable geometry tend to attract market interest relative to more technically challenging targets.
Chemistry results cover most completed holes at Agadir Melloul
Critical Mineral Resources reported completion of geochemical analysis on 172 of 176 drill holes. The company said the results show increasing consistency across the mineralized zone based on copper grade distribution. It reported that 57 drill holes returned copper grades above 0.20%.
The company further stated that 40 drill holes exceeded its 0.30% copper cut-off threshold. Management said higher-grade intervals are important because they may define areas of stronger economic enrichment within the broader deposit. The dataset is described as providing technical support for the planned maiden resource estimate targeted for Q3 2026.
Block model work and JORC Measured and Indicated targeting
Alongside drilling, Critical Mineral Resources is advancing an internal geological block model for future resource calculations. The company said current drill spacing generally ranges between 50 x 100 metres and 100 x 100 metres. It expects this spacing to provide sufficient density for portions of the resource to be classified under the internationally recognized JORC standard.
The company said it expects some portions could be classified in the Measured and Indicated categories. It described achieving those classifications as a milestone that would move Agadir Melloul beyond exploration success into an advanced stage where engineering, economic work, and feasibility studies become increasingly relevant.
Tizert comparison cited by CEO Charlie Long
Tizert comparison cited by CEO Charlie Long
Tizert comparison cited by CEO Charlie Long
Tizert comparison cited by CEO Charlie Long
Tizert comparison cited by CEO Charlie Long
Tizert comparison cited by CEO Charlie Long
Tizert comparison cited by CEO Charlie Long
Tizert comparison cited by CEO Charlie Long
Tizert comparison cited by CEO Charlie Long
Tizert comparison cited by CEO Charlie Long
Tizert comparison cited by CEO Charlie Long
Tizert comparison cited by CEO Charlie Long
Tizert comparison cited by CEO Charlie Long (corrected)
The company’s chief executive officer, Charlie Long, emphasized thicker near-surface mineralized zones at Agadir Melloul, with some widths reported up to 10 metres. Critical Mineral Resources said it has drawn comparisons with Morocco’s nearby Tizert copper deposit. The company noted that long-term project outcomes depend on factors including resource tonnage, geological continuity, mining geometry, processing efficiency, and development scalability.
Catalyst timing for maiden resource and DFS target dates
The next key milestone is the maiden resource estimate scheduled for release in Q3 2026. Critical Mineral Resources said this will provide information on overall resource scale, grade distribution, potential mine design, geological continuity, and development opportunities. It also stated that a formal resource estimate will serve as a basis for future economic studies and project valuation.
The company outlined a roadmap targeting a Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) by December 2026. It described this as demonstrating progression from exploration drilling to advanced development planning if achieved.
Morroco’s critical minerals focus and copper demand backdrop
The Agadir Melloul update comes as Morocco is described as gaining recognition as a mining jurisdiction beyond its phosphate base. Critical Mineral Resources said growing interest is being directed toward copper, silver, and other critical minerals in Morocco. It attributed this profile to improving infrastructure networks, established mining expertise, supportive investment conditions, proximity to European markets, and expanding exploration activity.
The company also reiterated that long-term copper demand remains strong among industrial metals. It listed drivers including electrical grid expansion, renewable energy projects, electric vehicle manufacturing, battery technologies, and industrial electrification.
Status of remaining work before development valuation at Agadir Melloul
Despite encouraging exploration results, Critical Mineral Resources said Agadir Melloul remains early-stage and requires further milestones before full development valuation can be established. Investors are expected to monitor updates related to maiden resource calculations, metallurgical testing, recovery rates, mining assumptions, capital expenditure requirements, environmental assessments, and permitting pathways.
The company stated that progress on these items will determine commercial viability and development potential for the project.
Copper-silver project positioning ahead of resource definition workstream
The latest drilling results were described by Critical Mineral Resources as indicating evolution beyond a pure exploration stage at Agadir Melloul. The company pointed to shallow mineralization alongside consistent copper and silver grades and expanding geological confidence tied to its development timeline toward resource definition.
The update also reiterated that Agadir Melloul is being positioned as a potentially significant copper-silver development project amid continued global demand for strategic metals.
